It’s Dwarfism Awareness Month 2016

How apt that I’ve decided to resurrect this blog through dwarfism awareness month.

Did you know there are over 200 forms of dwarfism in the world? That dwarfism can be categorised into two broad types – proportionate and disproportionate. Achondroplasia is the most common form of dwarfism. You’ll read many posts and promotions about what we dwarves can do.

But you know what? Dwarfism is also this… it’s being stared at when you leave the house. It’s having to deal unwanted attention, not being able to get into a car and drive it straight away because you can’t see over the steering wheel. It’s not being able to cook safely in the kitchen unless it is adapted. It’s wearing infant-sized shoes and having to have always have your clothes altered. It’s being mistaken for a child when you fill up your car at the petrol station. It’s people telling you “you’re just small” or they just see you as [insert your name]. It’s maddening, it’s frustrating, it’s having to work twice as hard to get people to accept you at a level that they take for granted. It just is.

Do you know what dwarfism also is?

It’s an eye-opener. A sophisticated tool in deciphering a person’s integrity and nature more quickly than most. It certainly gives you an alternative perspective on life. It opens doors to places and people that others can only dream of. It broadens horizons. It makes you more independent and resilient. Dwarfism takes you on adventures. While the body may not grow, the experience allows for growth in so many other areas. It makes you more aware, more empathetic of and towards others.

Dwarfism is so many things it’s hard to put it succinctly. It’s everything about your life and equally not representative of who you feel you are as a person*. It’s the balancing of honouring your dwarfism and not letting its limitations get in the way of your life.

…it’s good to be back!

*(that’s the shock you get when you see photos of yourself and realise the height difference).